If Emanual Steward was still around and trained AJ…

Joshua can't improve past this point. Not even Steward could help him.

I like Joshua but Usyk gave him a good well deserved beating. Mark Ant was getting out of control by saying Joshua beats Lewis

 

I kind of disagree, although clock is ticket for AJ, if he doesn't improve in the next 2 years, he's peaked.

I think his decision making at times could improve. He could continue to improve that jab and straight right.

He could clearly define what he's good at and decide what sort of fighter he wants to be.

Guess only time will tell.

 

Joshua isn't Wlad or Lewis, Steward wouldn't have been able to do much more with him. "Ruiz I" is a Steward improvement scenario, he just got totally outclassed here.

 

He'd teach him to use his size to his advantage like he did wlad.

 

Emanual would have told Joshua to get out of the gym, and go join a bodybuilding one.

 

For one Steward would teach him how to take advantage of his size and strength. With McCracken Joshua seems like he’s scared to get into a clinch.

 

Not sure he would of been as good as Wlad, as Wlad I believe was a better athlete, but Steward I do think could improve Joshua and make him a better fighter. Partly because Steward was that good but also because Joshua does seem to be a guy that soaks up what he is taught and transfers it into the ring.

When he turned pro I thought he was OK, never thought he'd go on to do what he did, the potential was there because he was a good athlete, big and powerful but the rate of his progression and continued improvement even up to now has impressed me. Remember when Joshua and Parker were two rising prospects and we'd debate who was better, well at the time I don't think much separated them, but Parker barely improved and stagnated while Joshua with each fight took leaps forward adding new skills.

So yes I think Joshua could of been a far better fighter under Steward but he'd fall short of Lewis and Wlad, partly because he started too late while Lewis and Wlad boxed or in Wlad's case kick boxed from an earlier stage, it's hard to make up all those lost years of potential training.

 

I would avoid watching him fight. Joshua doesn't need Manny to teach him to grab, hold and drape himself across the back of anyone that gets close enough to punch him, tyvm.

 

Steward was one of the best boxing trainers ever but he could only work with the 'raw' product presented to him, Wlad and Lewis were way ahead of AJ in boxing ability and aptitude prior to going under his tutelage.

AJ would improve under Steward i think that is a definite, but would not think he would attain Wlad level improvement

 

It makes no difference who trains AJ, Ruiz took his balls, he can’t get them back anymore. What’s done is done.

He is always gonna be scared of getting hit.

 

A lot of guys were much less charitable than you, unfairly tabbing him as a second coming of Davey Price (he was never as obviously limited as that). I wasn't a fan, but I always thought he was strap material. In a previous haunt, after he blitzed Kingpin, I asserted that he'd beat Wladimir if (hypothetically) he were to meet him before Fury did, which provoked a deal of uproar. In hindsight, I get why others found it a reckless call, but I thought the necessary tools were there and he really wasn't far off at all in reality (though, the subsequent experience of being hurt by Whyte and patiently chipping away at Breazeale obviously put him in better overall stead).

My mind was grooming Joshua as a foil for Fury from very early on. And now that fight will never be a fraction as momentous as it could've been.

 

AJ strikes me as the type of student who follows what his trainers have to say. Seeing him go from a bulky plodding 1 2 type of boxer to a leaner defensive minded out boxer. He is still young, learning with tons more potential. Steward would have been the perfect trainer for him. Where AJ is right now and with his current team I’m not sure if he will reach his full potential as one of the greats. Still great accomplishments even if it’s not ATG status.

 

Do you really think that it's trainer/gameplan problem ?

I think it's just simple thing. Usyk is a better boxer and have answer to anything that AJ can bring.

 

Wladmir was a more fluid athlete who cultivated a cautious style. I think Joshua has some of the same problems as Wlad (freezing when hit) but not as much offensive firepower as peak Wladimir. And he's obviously not as Lewis's level.

The biggest thing Joshua needs now is a sense of self-belief. He's gotta start punching with more conviction again.